Nzoia Sugar trainer Peter Juma has admitted that the club will miss the services and the leadership of their centre back Randy Bakari when they tackle AFC Leopards on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium.Bakari who has been anchoring the backline suffered a back injury during their 1-1 draw with record champions Gor Mahia in a midweek duel staged at the Sudi Stadium and is set to be sidelined close to a month.Juma said the experienced defender’s absence is a big blow to their plan to cut the rejuvenated Leopard to size and register their second win of the season.How well do you know Nzoia Sugar FC Official players? Today you get the chance to know more about Phillip Muchuma, Randy Bakari, and Titus Kapchanga. ^EW #ShugaSukari #SweeteningKenya @MakWan @nzoiasugarfc2 @nzoiawaterco @ElvisMukhwana @BungomaCountyKe @Officialfkfpl pic.twitter.com/kBPc7gxgPj— Nzoia Sugar Co.Ltd (@Nzoiasugar) May 8, 2021 Leopards head into the clash brimming in confidence after clawing Nairobi City Stars 1-0 at the same venue in their last game. “It is unfortunate we will miss Bakari when we face Leopards on Sunday. He marshalls the defense with class and he reads the game well. He is scheduled to be out for at least a month,” said the former midfielder.In the absence of the towering defender, Juma revealed that Ian Karani will fill his shoes and partner Emmanuel Esekon at the heart of the defence. Karani missed their one all draw against KCB a week ago due to illness and his recovery has proved timely for the coach-less outfit.82’| ⚠️ Yellow Card⚠️ Randy Bakari is booked for a foul on Sofapaka’s Joe Waithira.Nzoia Sugar 0-0 Sofapaka.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/mCaTY0gK37— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) October 15, 2021 “We have no choice other than to play Karani whom we are happy recovered and trained with us for some days. He will partner with Esekon. Despite the injuries, I am sure we will beat Leopards if we take our chances,” he disclosed.Apart from Bakari, Juma revealed that more players were still making inroads to the treatment room nursing either injuries or sickness. He said they will miss the Congolese duo of Gaetan Masha and Felicien Okanda who got injured in their 1-0 loss to Tusker while Leonard Kasembeli was still down with illness.
